Corner construction

ABSTRACT

A corner construction as used for furniture, display fixtures, and the like, comprising a tubular leg, open to the top and having a pair of upwardly opening slots spaced apart at an angle of approximately 90*; there being end and side bars having cooperating slots for interlocking same in axially perpendicular relationship. The bars are receivable within the slots of the legs and with the zone of interlock being disposed within the bore of said legs. Fasteners interconnect the legs and the end extremities of said bars.

United States Patent [1 1 Glaser June 3, 1975 4] CORNER CONSTRUCTION 2,097,172 10/1937 Yurkovitch 403/219 [75] Inventor: Harold Glaser, St. Louis, Mo.

Primary ExaminerRichard J. Scantan, Jr. [73] Ass'gnee gf'ff fi Maryland Assistant Examiner-Wayne L. Shedd elg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ralph W. Kalish [22] Filed: Jan. 8, 1974 [21] Appl. No: 431,617 [57] ABSTRACT [52] U 5 Cl 403/219, 52/753 D 248,188 A corner construction as used for furniture, display 211/|'77 fixtures, and the like, comprising a tubular leg, open [51] In Cl I I I F16! 3/00 Fl6g 1 1/00 to the top and having a pair of upwardly opening slots 58 Field of Search 403/170 171 172 176 spaced apart an angle appmximaely 403,219 23] 346 347 being end and side bars having cooperating slots for 664 -fi, 312/256 interlocking same in axially perpendicular relationship. The bars are receivable within the slots of the 257 108/156 2248/1881 5/288 legs and with the zone of interlock being disposed [56] References Cited within the bore of said legs. Fasteners interconnect the UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1927 Keisterle 403/2]? legs and the end extremities of said bars.

15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATH-SWINE lsrs SHEET CORNER CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to joint structures and, more particularly, to a corner construction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a corner construction especially suitable for utilization with furniture, display fixtures. storage equipment, and the like, which integrates in a novel, yet highly stable fashion, structural or frame-forming components of the article in question.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a corner construction of the character stated which is especially suitable for formation from tubular components, permitting of ease of assembly into a stable joint which is resistant to disassembly in use; but which may be intentionally disassembled in a facile, rapid manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a corner construction of the character stated which allows for a unqiue integration of structural components of the particular article without requiring the services of skilled personnel and which obviates the necessity for complex tools for assembly; as a simple and conventional tool is sufficient.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a comer construction as indicated above, which is most durable and reliable in usage; which is economical in production; and which is of marked versatility in utilization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table incorporating a corner construction constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of one corner of the table shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the components of the corner of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a corner of a table incorporating another form of a corner construction constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper end of the leg shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the corner shown in FIG. 6 but incorporating another form of fastener arrangement for the bars.

FIG. 11 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line ll11 of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A designates a table which is set forth for exemplary purposes only, being but one of myriad structures with which the present invention may be utilized. Table A includes a frame F comprehending a leg 1 at each of the four corners of the table, parallel end bars or rails 2, and parallel side bars or rails 3, which components support a table top 4 as of unitary, generally panel, character. Each of said legs 1 is of tubular stock, being circular in cross-section, having a continuous annular side wall 5, and being open at its upper end, as at 6. In its inner or table top-confronting quadrant, side wall 5 of each leg is cut-away to present a pair of upwardly opening slots or recesses 7,8 being peripherally spaced apart through an angle of the bases 7,8 of said slots 7,8, respectively, are spaced from the upper end edge 9 of the related leg I a distance substantially equal to the height of bars 2,3. The portion of side wall 5 by the slots 7,8 as indicated at 10 is of relatively reduced height to present an upper support edge 11 downwardly of end edge 9. The transverse extent of slots 7,8 in their lower portions, bounded by side wall 5 and the intervening wall portion 10 is substantially the same as the width of bars 2,3 for snug fitting reception of the same therethrough as will be more fully described hereinbelow. Diameterally aligned with each slot 7,8 is an aperture 12,13, respectively, drilled or otherwise formed in side wall 5. Thus an axis passing through slot 7 and aligned aperture 12 will be perpendicular to an axis extending through slot 8 and aperture 13.

End and side bars 2,3 may be of solid or tubular stock but are shown in the drawings, for purposes of illustration only, as being of tubular character, rectangular in cross-section with the height being greater than the width. Although end and side bars 2,3 may be, if desired, fabricated from different stock and have different dimensions, as presented herein, the same are described as being from identical stock so that characteristics and dimensions of such pairs are identical with the sole exception of overall length. As table A is also of rectangular configuration end bars 2 are expectedly shorter than side bars 3 but since each corner of table A is of like formation, only one will be described. Each bar 2,3 is provided with upper and lower ends 14,15, respectively, and parallel sides 16,17. Each bar 2,3 is open at its ends and in each end there is fixed a boss 18 having a threaded opening 19 of appropriate diameter for accepting a screw 20 progressing through the related aperture 12,13 in leg side wall 5.

Proximate each ofits ends each side bar 3 is provided with an upwardly opening slot or recess 21 having a depth of desirably one-half the height of such side bar 3. The width of slot 21 is substantially the same as the transverse extent of end bar 2; which as shown herein is of like dimensions as side bar 3. Each end bar 2 is likewise provided adjacent each of its ends with a slot or recess 22 but which is downwardly opening and is located the same distance from the proximate end of said end bar 2 as are recesses 21 from the adjacent end of end bars 3. Similarly, the transverse extent of slots 22 are substantially the same as the width of side bars 3 and with the depths, or, in this case, upward dimension of slots 22 being substantially one-half the height of end bars 2.

By virtue of slots 21,22, end bars 2 and side bars 3 may be interlocked by causing said slots 21,22 to be mutually received, one within the other, in which condition, by virtue of the selected dimensions, the upper and lower ends 14,15 of end bars 2,3 will be in surfacealigned condition. By reason of the selected depth of 3 said slots 21,22 and the relationship of the width thereof to the transverse dimensions of said bars 2,3, a firm joint is developed by the said bars.

As so engaged. the portions of bars 2,3 inwardly of the zone of interlock, indicated at z, are then fittedly received within slots 8.7, respectively, of the adjacent leg 1; with the lower ends of said bars 2,3 being restingly disposed upon slot bases 8',7', respectively, and with the associated opening 19 being presented in reg istcring relationship with the respective aperture 12,13 so that screws may be inserted and threadedly engaged within opening 19 thereby fastening said bars to the legs 1.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the recesses 21,22 of bars 3,2, respectively, are spaced from the proximate end of the said bars a distance less than the diameter of legs 1 so that the zone of interlock 1 will be located radially inwardly of the related side wall 5. Bars 3,2 are firmly engaged within said slots 7,8 by reason of the transverse dimension of the latter in their lower portions being substantially the same as the width of the received bars whereby such interengagement together with the fastened end extremities of said bars conduce to a most rigid joint. By the unique relationship of bars 3,2 to each other, as well as to leg 1, accidental displacement in any direction as well as inadvertent disassembly are effectively inhibited It will be observed that the end surfaces of bars 2,3 contact the inner face of side wall 5 of legs 1 and forcibly abut thereagainst by reason of the tightened screws 20, so that any longitudinal shifting of said bars 2,3 is clearly prevented.

With the components of frame F integrated as above described. table top 4 may be placed in operative condition with its corner portions being received upon upper edge 11 of leg wall portions 10. Said table top 4 is dimensioned for snug disposition within the boundaries developed by the interengaged bars 3,2 so that same is held in intimate relationship thereto comparable to a friction fit. As shown, the distance between support edge 11 and upper edge 9 of legs 1 is substantially equivalent to the thickness of table top 4 whereby the upper surface of the latter will be flush with the upper surfaces 14 of end and side bars 2,3 and the upper edge of legs 1 (see FIG. 3). However, it is of course apparent that such relationship is optional as table top 4 could, if desired for functional or aesthetic purposes, extend above or below the upper surfaces of bars 2,3 and legs 1. In like vein, slots 7,8 may be of such depth so as to cause end bars 2,3 to extend above or below the upper edges 9 of legs 1, should such be preferred.

From the foregoing it will be readily seen that the corner construction of the present invention may be easily developed without the services of a skilled individual and by the use of nothing more than a screwdriver. Consequently, this invention is adapted for utilization with knock-down furniture, fixtures, and the like. As brought out above, table A is merely illustrative of but a single application of the present invention since it is readily useful in all types of furniture, such as bookcases, chairs, and the like, as well as for display and storage fixtures such as shelving, etc. Table top 4 may be of any desired material such as wood, glass, and the like.

In the event the end bars and side bars were of the same length for presenting a square as opposed to a rectangle, it would be seen that said bars would be fully interchangeable. thereby simplifying production and problems of assembly. But even with end bars 2 and side bars 3 being of different length, the same are expectedly reversible due to the inherent symmetry so that there is no problem for the assembler relative to locating one member with respect to another.

Turning now to FIGS. 6-9, inclusive, 1 designates a leg which is fundamentally similar to leg 1 above described, but differs therefrom in being of polygonal character, such as a square, and comprises parallel side walls 30,30 and parallel end walls 31,31; said leg being preferably open to the top which, if desired, can be readily closed by a plate or the like. Walls 30,31 are provided with upwardly opening slots or recesses 32,33, respectively, being substantially central of the respective wall. Said slots 32,33 are at to each other and the bases thereof, 32'33', respectively, are spaced from the upper end edge of the related side wall a distance substantially equal to the height of bars 2,3. The adjacent portions of side walls 30,31 between slots 32,33 are of relatively reduced height to present a support edge 34 downwardly of the upper end edge of side walls 31 for supporting a table top 4 in the same manner as support edge 11 hereinabove described with respect to leg 1.

Thus as indicated, bars 2,3 and table top 4 are identical with the components bearing the same reference numerals described above. It will be seen that side walls 30,31' are each provided with an aperture 35,36, respectively, for accommodating screws 20.

Accordingly, bars 2,3, in interengaged relationship, as above set forth, are fittedly received within slots 32,33 and with screws 20 being suitably engaged therein. Leg 1' merely indicates the potential design range of the legs of the present corner construction so that myriad shapes may be adopted depending upon the preference of the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, another form of means for effecting securement of side bars and end bars by screws 20 is shown. End and side bars 42,43, respectively, correspond to bars 2,3 hereinabove described but differ in that the same are devoid of a boss 18 with a threaded opening 19 so that the ends of said bars 42,43 are open. Each of said bars proximate its ends is provided in its parallel sides 44,45 with aligned, vertically extending narrow openings 46,47, respectively, with the former being of greater vertical extent than the latter. Provided for acceptance with said openings 46,47 is a nut-forming member 48 having a tapered body 49 with the smaller end as at 49' being receivable within opening 47 and the other, or larger end 50, being receivable within opening 46. Integral with body 49 and adjacent to end 50 is an enlarged base 51 of greater extent than opening 46 and end 50 so as to abut against the confronting outer portions of bar side wall 44 and thereby serve as a detent. Provided within body 49 for presentation intermediate walls 44,45 is a threaded opening 52, which will be aligned with opening 35,36, as the case may be when bars 42.43 are engaged within the related leg 1 or 1, as the case may be. Thus screws 20 will be threadedly engaged within said openings 52 for enhancing the stability of the corner construction.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. A corner construction for furniture and the like comprising a tubular upright having a side wall and a bore open at its normally upper end. a first frame bar, a second frame bar, cooperative means provided on said first and second frame bars for interengaging same in an intersecting zone wherein the longitudinal axes of said bars are in perpendicular relationship, said intersecting zone being spaced from the adjacent ends of said bars, the said adjacent end of each bar abutting against the inner face of the upright side wall, and means fixedly engaging each of said bars at their said adjacent ends to the upright side wall with the points of engagement being spaced apart through an angle of approximately 90.

2. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by means provided on said upright supportedly engaging said first and second frame bars in their portions on the side of said intersecting zone remote from the aforesaid adjacent ends thereof.

3. A corner construction as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said means provided on said upright supportedly engaging said first and second bars comprising upwardly opening recesses with there being an intervening side wall portion between said recesses, said intervening side wall portion having an upper edge spaced downwardly from the upper end of said upright.

4. A corner construction as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said upright recesses being spaced apart at an angle of approximately 90.

5. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said interengaging means comprising said first frame bar having a downwardly opening slot, said second frame bar having an upwardly opening slot, and with said frame bar slots being received one within the other, constituting the intersecting zone.

6. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said means fixedly engaging each of said bars to the upright comprising fastener elements, there being registering openings in the side wall of said upright and the adjacent ends of said bars receiving said fastener elements.

7. A corner construction as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by said recesses in said first and second bars having a depth equivalent to substantially one-half the height of said bars.

8. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said upright being of annular cross-section.

9. A corner construction as defined in claim 8 and further characterized by said upright recesses being circumferentially spaced apart.

It]. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said tubular upright being polygonal in cross-section.

11. A corner construction as defined in claim 10 and further characterized by said tubular upright being square in cross-section.

12. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by each of said bars at the end faces of their said adjacent ends abutting against the confronting portion of the side wall of said bore having transversely spaced-apart aligned openings, a nutforming member receivable within said openings for extension transversely of the related frame bar, and said means fixedly engaging each of said bars comprising fastener elements, there being registering openings in the side wall of said upright aligned with said nutforming member for receiving said fastener elements.

13. A corner construction for furniture and the like comprising a tubular upright having a bore open at its normally upper end, a first frame bar, a second frame bar. means interengaging said first and second frame bars within a zone proximate, but spaced from, one of the corresponding ends of said bars maintaining said bars in axially intersecting relationship, said interengaging means comprising said first frame bar having a downwardly opening slot, said second frame bar having an upwardly opening slot, with said frame bar slots being received one within the other, means provided on said upright engaging said first and second bars in their portions on the side of said interengaging zone remote from said one of the corresponding ends thereof. said means comprising upwardly opening spaced apart slots on said upright, the cross section of said upright bore being greater than the distance between said interengaging zone and the proximate one of the corresponding ends of said bars whereby with said bars received within said upright slots. said interengaging zone will be located within the bore of said upright, said one of the corresponding ends of said bars abutting in their end faces against the confronting portion of the wall of said bore, means securing each of said bars at their said ends to said upright, said means securing said bars comprising fastener elements, there being registering openings in the side wall of said upright and the abutting ends of said bars receiving said fastener elements.

14. A comer construction as defined in claim 13 and further characterized by said slots in said first and second bars having a depth equivalent to substantially onehalf the height of said bars.

15. A corner construction for furniture and the like comprising a tubular upright having a bore open at its normally upper end, a first frame bar, a second frame bar, means interengaging said first and second frame bars within a zone proximate, but spaced from, one of the corresponding ends of said bars maintaining said bars in axially intersecting relationship, said interengaging means comprising said first frame bar having a downwardly opening slot, said second frame bar having an upwardly opening slot, with said frame bar slots being received one within the other, means provided on said upright engaging said first and second bars in their portions on the side of said interengaging zone remote from said one of the corresponding ends thereof, said means comprising upwardly opening spaced apart slots on said upright, the cross section of said upright bore being greater than the distance between said interengaging zone and the proximate one of the corresponding ends of said bars whereby with said bars received within said upright slots, said interengaging zone will be located within the bore of said upright, said one of the corresponding ends of said bars abutting in their end faces against the confronting portion of the wall of said bore, and having transversely spaced apart aligned openings in such end faces, a nut-forming member receivable within said openings for extension transversely of the related bar, fastener elements, there being openings in the wall of said upright aligned with said nutforming member, said fastener elements being received within said wall openings and the registering nutforming member. 

1. A corner construction for furniture and the like comprising a tubular upright having a side wall and a bore open at its normally upper end, a first frame bar, a second frame bar, cooperative means provided on said first and second frame bars for interengaging same in an intersecting zone wherein the longitudinal axes of said bars are in perpendicular relationship, said intersecting zone being spaced from the adjacent ends of said bars, the said adjacent end of each bar abutting against the inner face of the upright side wall, and means fixedly engaging each of said bars at their said adjacent ends to the upright side wall with the points of engagement being spaced apart through an angle of approximately 90*.
 1. A corner construction for furniture and the like comprising a tubular upright having a side wall and a bore open at its normally upper end, a first frame bar, a second frame bar, cooperative means provided on said first and second frame bars for interengaging same in an intersecting zone wherein the longitudinal axes of said bars are in perpendicular relationship, said intersecting zone being spaced from the adjacent ends of said bars, the said adjacent end of each bar abutting against the inner face of the upright side wall, and means fixedly engaging each of said bars at their said adjacent ends to the upright side wall with the points of engagement being spaced apart through an angle of approximately 90*.
 2. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by means provided on said upright supportedly engaging said first and second frame bars in their portions on the side of said intersecting zone remote from the aforesaid adjacent ends thereof.
 3. A corner construction as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said means provided on said upright supportedly engaging said first and second bars comprising upwardly opening recesses with there being an intervening side wall portion between said recesses, said intervening side wall portion having an upper edge spaced downwardly fRom the upper end of said upright.
 4. A corner construction as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said upright recesses being spaced apart at an angle of approximately 90*.
 5. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said interengaging means comprising said first frame bar having a downwardly opening slot, said second frame bar having an upwardly opening slot, and with said frame bar slots being received one within the other, constituting the intersecting zone.
 6. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said means fixedly engaging each of said bars to the upright comprising fastener elements, there being registering openings in the side wall of said upright and the adjacent ends of said bars receiving said fastener elements.
 7. A corner construction as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by said recesses in said first and second bars having a depth equivalent to substantially one-half the height of said bars.
 8. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said upright being of annular cross-section.
 9. A corner construction as defined in claim 8 and further characterized by said upright recesses being circumferentially spaced apart.
 10. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said tubular upright being polygonal in cross-section.
 11. A corner construction as defined in claim 10 and further characterized by said tubular upright being square in cross-section.
 12. A corner construction as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by each of said bars at the end faces of their said adjacent ends abutting against the confronting portion of the side wall of said bore having transversely spaced-apart aligned openings, a nut-forming member receivable within said openings for extension transversely of the related frame bar, and said means fixedly engaging each of said bars comprising fastener elements, there being registering openings in the side wall of said upright aligned with said nut-forming member for receiving said fastener elements.
 13. A corner construction for furniture and the like comprising a tubular upright having a bore open at its normally upper end, a first frame bar, a second frame bar, means interengaging said first and second frame bars within a zone proximate, but spaced from, one of the corresponding ends of said bars maintaining said bars in axially intersecting relationship, said interengaging means comprising said first frame bar having a downwardly opening slot, said second frame bar having an upwardly opening slot, with said frame bar slots being received one within the other, means provided on said upright engaging said first and second bars in their portions on the side of said interengaging zone remote from said one of the corresponding ends thereof, said means comprising upwardly opening spaced apart slots on said upright, the cross section of said upright bore being greater than the distance between said interengaging zone and the proximate one of the corresponding ends of said bars whereby with said bars received within said upright slots, said interengaging zone will be located within the bore of said upright, said one of the corresponding ends of said bars abutting in their end faces against the confronting portion of the wall of said bore, means securing each of said bars at their said ends to said upright, said means securing said bars comprising fastener elements, there being registering openings in the side wall of said upright and the abutting ends of said bars receiving said fastener elements.
 14. A corner construction as defined in claim 13 and further characterized by said slots in said first and second bars having a depth equivalent to substantially one-half the height of said bars. 